Van Nattas Dam, Ithaca

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Van Nattas Dam, Ithaca

Legend

Confirmed Access

NYC Area Beaches

Point of Interest

State or Town Park

Unknown or Unofficial

Park in the signed parking lot for Mulholland Wildflower Preserve, and then walk back to the bridge on Giles St. and cross over the river. You’ll see trails leading alongside the bridge; one leads to the very top of the falls, and the others just lead to the top of the gorge. Instead, go a couple steps further and you’ll see a fire hydrant and a spray painted sign, and a dirt road with a gate. This is the beginning of the road that leads down to the fall. It is a very easy and wide gravel road, so you don’t have to crawl along the gorge like we did.

Picturesque abandoned mill, turquoise water, exposed root trees-this is one of the most beautiful places that we’ve found. It feels very private and special. You are allowed to be on this land as it is part of the Six mile Creek Walk. You aren’t allowed to swim here, though reportedly people do.

There is also a second waterfall that people swim in somewhere on this trail called Potters Falls. We didn’t visit these falls as we didn’t have good directions, but it is worth asking around about.